From an invention of a technique of genetic fingerprinting by Dr. Alec Jeffrey, a geneticist in September 1984 came, a technology that shows a genetic fingerprint is specific to each individual and the pattern only belongs to that particular person on earth except for identical twins.

Then, three decades after, DNA fingerpringting would be used for many other organisms including plants.

Researchers from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) applying the DNA fingerprinting technology conducted a study to prove the varietal integrity of the country’s promising rubber clones through DNA fingerprint in an effort to make rubber a key contributor to Philippine economic development.

The Los Baños based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology funded the study lifted, Validation of Varietal integrity of Promising Rubber Clones through DNA Fingerprinting.

Dr. Emma K. Salles of USM led the study to assure farmers that the planting materials they are using are genuine and can enhance productivity.

To ensure varietal integrity for accurate labeling and systematic recording, safekeeping and tagging of each clone are required. This process is facilitated by the use of a biotechnology tool known as molecular markers.

Molecular markers or genetic markers are used in molecular biology and biotechnology to identify a particular sequence of DNA in a pool of unknown DNA.

Clone tagging under the project has verified and validated the identity of clones from 181 rubber commercial nurseries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The project Validation of Varietal Integrity of Promising Rubber Clones through DNA Fingerprinting was one of the finalists in the research category of the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on July 27, 2016 at the DOST-PCAARRD Complex in Los Baños, Laguna which served as one of the highlights of the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).

Initiated by DOST-PCAARRD, NSAARRD recognizes the outstanding contribution of individuals and institutions in improving the state of agri-aqua research and development in the country. (PSciJourn MegaManila).